Elements of Awesome: Volume I

Sister, there’s something we must talk about.

Dawn could feel beads of sweat dripping off her brow. The small package sat on the counter, taunting her. She knew she would have to open it eventually. But she was far too afraid. The package was much too small. A flood of fear enveloped her. She didn’t make the cut. She was a failure. She would never go to college. She would never join the Equestrian Guard. She would never bring her father down.

Dawn couldn’t handle the anticipation. She had to know. The unicorn grabbed the package and ripped it open. Ignoring the rest of the contents, she grabbed the letter which rested on the top.

“Dear Dawn Sparkle,” she read, “Congratulations! You have been accepted into Canterlot University…”

Its return has brought many troubles.

“I think that’s ‘nough for t’day,” Apple Tart called out to the zebra. There was no doubt he was the same they had encountered in the forest. But he seemed to have no memory of the encounter. The Apples had tried to learn more about him, but he seemed to remember very little of his past. He knew his name - Zachariah - but that was it. The rest was a mystery.

Tart, however, believed he was just being secretive. She decided that she would take a different approach.

“Hey, Zach,” she called. The zebra trotted up to her, his blue eyes shining. “What’re your plans for t’night?”

Zachariah shrugged.

“Well, why don’t ya and I go out t’eat? Get t’know each other better?”

The zebra smiled, locking her gaze with his. His eyes seemed to glow. For a moment, Tart felt as if she was someplace else. In a flash, however, she was back on the farm, staring at Zachariah.

“I would like that,” the zebra replied.

Old enemies are rising against us.

Faith couldn’t decide if she was happy or sad. This was her last year of flight camp. After this, she’d have to spend her summers doing adult pony things like taxes and reading the newspaper.

The orange filly that sat across from Faith beamed at her. They were about the same age, but they didn’t look it. Faith had adopted her mother’s graceful appearance, but the other was still trapped in an awkward phase. Hopefully, that would make the race easier.

“Ladies, take your marks!” Their referee roared. Faith glanced over to the other pony and smiled. She blushed, cheeks warm.

“I’m Faith,” she mouthed.

“Soda Pop,” the other mouthed back.

“Get set!”

Faith flared her wings and then let them relax a little. She was determined to win. This would be her last race for quite some time, and the prize was hefty: one dozen cupcakes. Most of which she had already eaten, actually. They were just lying out on the counter, unattended and delicious.

“Go!”

The two pumped their wings, racing off into the distance.

With each day, I become weaker.

Party sighed. He didn’t even need to check the clock. He knew he had overslept. Again.

The Cakes had been very generous so far. They knew he was Pinkie’s son and they wanted to do the best for him they could. But his last strike was up. They were losing more money on him than they had on his mother.

He had bounced around aimlessly, looking for a job that would stick. Thunder and Faith made enough to ward off bills, but not for long. Party knew he had to make it up to them somehow.

The phone rang. He ignored it.

Party rolled out of bed and got ready. He stepped outside, planning to head to the farm. Applejack hadn’t needed any help the last time Party checked, but that was a full season ago.

A flyer fluttered to the ground as he stepped outside. Three ponies - a unicorn, a pegasus, and an earth pony - stood on a hill, Equestria’s war banner waved behind them. In large, blocky letters, the text read: EQUESTRIA NEEDS YOU! Party picked up the flyer. For a minute, he thought about finding the address listed.

But not even he was that desperate.

I can’t keep them at bay for much longer. I can barely hold myself together.

“You didn’t think?” Lazle screamed at Thunder. Tears streamed down the blue unicorn’s face. “You didn’t think about how this would affect me? You didn’t think about Faith?”

“I’m sorry, I just lost control of myself.”

“I didn’t realize staying faithful required so much effort.”

Thunder flared his nostrils. He opened his mouth to yell, but decided better.

“You need to leave, Thunder.”

“Does this mean…”

“Leave.”

Lazle slammed the door shut and locked it. The blue mare collapsed to the floor in tears. She sat there for a few minutes, crying until she couldn’t any more. Faith appeared from upstairs. Her eyes were bloodshot and her fur was streaked from tears.

“Lazuli?” She called out in a soft voice. The blue mare looked up. “I’m really sorry, Laz.”

Lazle sucked on her upper lip for a moment, nodding rhythmically.

“He was drunk, and I was drunk, and I was thinking about somepony, and then he said he,” Faith paused. She took several deep breaths. “Then he said he loved me. And  then he kissed me. And I’m really sorry, Lazle. I’m really sorry.”

The unicorn stumbled toward the yellow pegasus, wrapping her in a hug. Faith wrapped her wings around Lazle in return.

We’re on the eve of war, my sister.

Thunder landed outside the small, abandoned building. A few hooded ponies gathered around the front, speaking in hushed whispers. The grey pegasus glanced around, checking to make sure he wasn’t tailed. He nodded to one of the cloaked figures and entered the old theatre. A little under a hundred ponies crowded around the stage, staring up at the blue pony. Her mane was mostly covered by a purple wizard hat, and a cape covered her flank.

“Ladies and Gentlecolts!” She exclaimed. The room went silent when she spoke. “The old Equestria is in ruins. Celestia has disappeared from public eye. Luna says we can trust her, but I fear the terrible Nightmare Moon has returned. It is time we took Equestria into our own hooves. We must save the rightful ruler. We must bring Equestria into the light. We must welcome the Sun.”

Luna.

Dawn closed her eyes, basking in the warmth of the sun. She had finally made it. Years of training, but she was almost done. A brand new life was laid out ahead of her. She was going to change the world.

I’m dying.

End of Volume I